Opponents of Banner mine worry about safety

As witnesses testified Thursday about a proposed strip-mining operation in Fulton County, a recurring theme emerged: They're worried about quality of life for humans and for wildlife.

Adriana Colindres

As witnesses testified Thursday about a proposed strip-mining operation in Fulton County, a recurring theme emerged: They're worried about quality of life for humans and for wildlife.

"I'm concerned about the health and welfare of the village of Banner," said Banner Mayor Ken Fuller, who was among the individuals to speak against Capital Resources Development Co.'s planned mining project near Banner.

Fuller said he believes that blasting at the mine could crack concrete in the village's sewer plant, located near the northeast corner of the proposed mining site.

"The effects of that would be long-lasting because we'd have to shut the (sewer) system down," said Fuller, who has been mayor for 15 years.

Canton resident Sheila Cook, whose home on U.S. Route 24 is directly across from the proposed mining site, fears that the mining operation would aggravate her asthma and dust allergies. In addition, she said she worries that any mine blasting could disrupt her family's sleeping habits.

Joyce Blumenshine, a volunteer with the Heart of Illinois Sierra Club, testified the mine could drive away ospreys that are just beginning to settle near the mine site.

Capital Resources Development's reclamation plan for the mining area involves planting trees that could provide future habitats for birds and wildlife, but the trees would need decades to grow to their full height, Blumenshine said.

The comments from Fuller, Cook, Blumenshine and five other opponents to the project came during the fourth day of an administrative hearing about the proposed strip-mining operation.

After listening to testimony and reviewing other evidence, hearing officer Michael O'Hara eventually is expected to settle the question of whether the Illinois Department of Natural Resources should have granted a permit for the project. Opponents say the permit should not have been issued.

The administrative hearing started June 22 and 23, then resumed on Wednesday and Thursday.

When it became clear the proceeding wouldn't wrap up this week, O'Hara and attorneys in the case agreed to set additional hearing dates of Aug. 21, 22, 28 and 29.

Five opponents to the mining project still intend to testify at the hearing once it starts again next month, Blumenshine said.

"They are so committed, they're making this effort (to travel to Springfield) month after month," she said.

After the opponents finish testifying, attorneys for Capital Resources Development and the Department of Natural Resources will have the opportunity to call their own witnesses.

Adriana Colindres can be reached at (217) 782-6292 or adriana.colindres@sj-r.com.com

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